The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
The Hancock County Board honored Betty Twaddle at the beginning of their regular meeting Nov. 16.
Twaddle has been part time secretary for the county board since 1995.
The board gave Twaddle a plaque and expressed their thanks for her many years of service. A reception was held on the first floor of the courthouse with Twaddle meeting friends during and after the meeting.
The board approved the proposed budget for the 2021-2022 year. The new budget takes effect at the beginning of the county fiscal year, Dec, 1.
The budget estimates $4,311,291 in revenue, with expenses of $4,363,791. It was explained that some of the expenses would be paid with money placed by judges into Court Service and Drug funds. This accounts for the budget deficit of $52,500.
Finance committee chairman, Wayne Bollin, explained that if these funds had not been placed into special accounts, rather than the general fund, there would have been a $17,500 surplus in the budget.
The budget includes a two percent raise for county employees.
A new position was formed combining duties in the county clerk's office, the election office and for the county board.
The board also approved its annual levy request. This is the maximum dollar amount the county can receive based on tax rates applied to the equalized assessed value of county property.
This year the board approved a levy of $4,645,824, which is the same levy request made last year.
In making his budget summary, Bollin complimented county employees and office holders for their attention to spending and efficiency.
"The Finance Committee set a goal before this process to have a closely balanced budget and to try to have a flat levy outcome," Bollin said.
"We believe we achieved the goal of fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of Hancock County, while still providing a framework of responsible county government."
In other finance related action, the board approved the updated insurance plan available to county employees, that will raise employee cost by $20 to a total of $60 per month. The part time contract for animal control warden Mike Wright was approved for $18,796.
The board authorized the board chairman and the finance chairman to transfer line items within the budget.
A resolution approved a tax deed for property in Warsaw.
Two resolutions were approved, related to the Hancock County Transportation System.
The board moved two CARES Act funding payments into one grant agreement totaling $377,542.
They extended the contract of Lori Sutton for an additional six months to provide help in grant writing for new transportation director, Miranda Lambert. There is no cost to the county for this contract extension. It is paid by grant funds to the transportation system, and limited to funds available.
The board approved ambulance contractual write-offs as of October amounting to $63,229, and bad debt accounts of $2,187.01 to go for further collection.
Motor Fuel Tax funds of $450,000 received by the county were designated for general maintenance of county highways in 2022.
An engineering service agreement with Klingner and Associates for $57,042 was approved for work on the Connable Road.
An engineers trailer was designated as surplus property, allowing the County Highway Department to sell the trailer for the best price.
Joyce Lillard was appointed to a five-year term as commissioner on the Hancock County Housing Authority that will expire Oct. 8, 2026.
Betty Twaddle with County Board President Delbert Kreps